Thursday, November 29, 2012

Football (soccer) enthusiasts around the world are familiar with the FIFA football federation (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), and their Mission Statement is:

"...to improve the game of football constantly and promote it globally in the light of its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values,particularly through youth and development programmes"

So why is FIFA trying to rebuild (again) the destroyed Football stadium in Gaza?

It was most recently destroyed (again) by the IDF 2 weeks ago, after Hamas used the stadium to shoot Fajr-5 rockets at Greater Tel-Aviv and at Jerusalem.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke has pledged that soccer's world governing body will help rebuild the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, after it was partially destroyed in Israeli air strikes.

"We see it our mandate to rebuild football infrastructure which has been destroyed," Valcke was quoted as saying on fifa.com. "We will also rebuild the stadium in Gaza, which has been destroyed.

"Soccer brings people together and we will support any re-construction necessary when football infrastructure is destroyed through disasters," added Valcke, who is in Brazil for the draw of the Confederations Cup.

Israeli fighter jets opened fire on the venue in the Gaza Strip earlier this month, severely damaging an indoor hall and a neighbouring building as well as leaving four large holes on the pitch.

Reports have estimated that the cost of the damage at the 10,000-seat stadium could run into millions of dollars.

The venue is one of three international stadiums used by the Palestine national soccer team, with a second the West Bank and a third in annexed east Jerusalem.

Football/Soccer only brings people together when stadiums aren't being used to launch rocket attacks against neighbors.

FIFA says above that the stadium was destroyed by a "disaster" which is why they are rebuilding it. The "disaster" is Hamas, and till Hamas is no longer active in Gaza, the FIFA stadiums will continue to be used to launch rocket attacks against Israel, and the IDF will be forced to destroy the stadium again.

The United Nations today is poised to accept "Palestine" as an observer-status country -- Palestinians use their infrastructure and donations to fund terror against Israel and infuse their children with hate.

The naivete of FIFA in rebuilding Gaza's football stadium is the same foolishness of the United Nations in upgrading "Palestine" to an observer country.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Last night when the results of the Likud internal elections were finalized the mainstream media started their field day:

Fascist....Radical...Ultra-nationalist....these words were used over and over again by Channels 1, 2, and 10 TV. Channel 10 repeated as a mantra last night that the new Likud list is fascist and illegitimate.

Israel: Don't be brainwashed by the media. We don't need more left wing parties disguised as "center" such as Livni and Mofaz. The Likud has a responsible and energetic list of MKs who will continue to help lead Israel through the challenging times ahead. Irresponsible fiscal policy from Labor would be the worst thing for Israel, which under the Likud government has managed to maintain a steady course as world markets experience serious turbulence over the past 4 years.

Congratulations to the Likud -- you have an excellent list, and we need to all work together for a better future for Israel.

".. the construction [based on TAMA 38] is focused in the Gush Dan region, a place where there were no fatal earthquakes in recorded history. In 1837 an earthquake destroyed Safed and Tiberias and caused hundreds of fatalities..."

Most earthquakes in Israel originate in the Dead See Rift (ie, the Jordan Valley). The valley and nearby mountain regions are most at-risk for earthquakes and so places like Tiberias, Safed and Jerusalem have suffered many devastating earthquakes. Beit She'an practically disappeared from history after it was hit by an earthquake in the 8th century. But it's of course incorrect to say that other places in the country haven't been affected as well.

The reason Gush Dan hasn't been affected much is because until Tel Aviv was built, it's been relatively empty. In fact, for most of the past millenium the entire population of Israel was less than half a million (and possibly even a quarter of a million).

However, we do know that the big city in the area - Ramla - was hit by earthquakes several times. The big one, in 1068, destroyed the city and left tens of thousands dead. It never regained its status as regional capital. The city was again destroyed by the earthquake of 1546, suffering casualties once again. It took years for the city to recover.

It all depends on where along the rift the earthquake centers, and how forceful it is.

On a related note, the Gush Dan region faces another threat - earthquakes elsewhere in the Mediterranean or along the Mediterranean coast can cause tsunamis. There have been several such recorded incidents.

Today about half the country's population - more than 3 million people - lives in the Gush Dan area. We should learn from history: A big enough earthquake could be disastrous.

7:21 PM Gaza launches rocket at Israel - Red Alert Sirens in Ashkelon and Eshkol region. Rocket lands in Gaza...no injuries or damage to Israel (except for its waning deterrence) 5:04 PM Amit Segal / Channel 2 News says that if his sources are correct, the results of the Likud primaries will be devastating to current Likud MKs, specifically Ministers. My guesstimates are as follows:

11:59 AM Likud Primary elections continue today....for those of you who are Likud members and didnt vote yet -- this video is for you. "Elkin Style"

11:07 AM In a self-announced "dramatic" announcement at a press conference, Defense Minister Ehud Barak is leaving Israeli politics -- and will not run in the upcoming elections. He will remain as Defense Minister till after the elections and a new government is sworn in.

Breaking News: 10:20 AM Breaking News...Defense Minister Barak has called for a "dramatic" press conference at 11:00 AM Israel time (40 minutes away) and sent pager messages to all political and military correspondents. Barak has cancelled all his IDF related meetings today...

What could this dramatic incident be? Options can include:

1. Resigning as Defense Minister
2. Joining another party to run for the upcoming elections (though both Labor and Livni deny any connection to it).
3. Something big from a security perspective...10:00 AM Likud primaries continue today due to severe computer issues yesterday. What an embarrassment -- The High-Tech "Start-Up" Nation can't even get its act together for a simple voting application? I'm ashamed.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

If you thought I would be able to continue the frantic pace of blogging/facebooking/twittering after 8 days straight, you are mistaken :-)

I will continue to update on a daily - semi daily basis....on life in Israel...however, today is a very important day -- the Likud internal "primaries" election.

You get to choose 12 people and then a 13th regional candidate.

The Muqata's endorsements are as follows: (in no particular order)

-Zeev Elkin
-Tzippi Hotovelli
-Yariv Levin
-Danny Danon
-Yuli Edelstein
-Moshe Feiglin
-Keti Shitrit
-Dr. Gabi Avital
The above are all proven defenders of the State of Israel and have pushed for a proud, Zionist agenda.

As you can count, the above is only 8 people. The following list are options to chose for the following 4...who in my opinion have shown rather good judgement though aren't on the list above. This list is a mix from "Matot Arim" and personal observations.

59% of Israelis are against the cease fire and wanted the IDF operation to continue33% of Israelis are in favor of the cease fire with Gaza.Who won? Israelis think...34% Hamas won28% Israel won26% Both sides won equally.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving to all our U.S. readers. Just realized that all of today's updates were being put in yesterday's thread. Sorry about that...Join us at the top of the blog www.muqata.com for Friday's updates.

11:43 PM The night the IDF's Gaza operation started, 3 Israeli Arabs attacked R' Yechiel Danino (age 56) the Rosh Yeshiva of "Ohr Yosef" in the city of Akko. The pulled his beard, yelled and laughed at him, and stole his kippa and hat. (reported in many places and on YNET)

However....tonight, the Imam (religious Islamic leader) of Akko and many of the respected Muslim families in Akko went to the Ohr Yosef yeshiva and apologized profusely to the Rosh Yeshiva and presented him with a huge flower arrangement.

Nice to see when people do the right thing. Kudos.

11:30 PM And now the news you've been waiting for. Cleared for publication -- the person who smuggled the bomb through a checkpoint which exploded on a Tel Aviv bus yesterday was..........

The terrorist was apprehended in a joint operation conducted by the Shin Bet, Israel Police and the IDF. Twenty-nine people were injured in the attack.

The Shin Bet said Thursday that the terrorist, an Israeli citizen who previously lived in the West Bank and was allowed to settle in Tayibe under the family reunification law, was recruited by a terror cell from the village of Beit Liqya, near Ramallah.

The terror cell members used a car belonging to the suspect's employer to transport the explosive device into Tel Aviv. The employer, an east Jerusalem resident, had no knowledge of the plan.

According to the Shin Bet, the suspect placed the bomb on the bus and then called the terror cell's commander in Beit Liqya, who then activated it via mobile phone. More arrests are expected.7:52 PM The Success behind the Iron Dome...a brilliant high-tech team, and rocket parts that come from Toys-R-Us.

There is a long, fascinating article in Hebrew about the "Secret to Iron Dome's Success" -- I will translate just a few paragraphs for you which I found fascinating:

"At the beginning of our journey [to create the Iron Dome], it simple almost impossible. We believed we would succeed, but the challenge was unprecedented. In retrospect, its clear that the [time and financial] limitations imposed on the project which seemed insurmountable are what led to extremely creative and successful ideas. The simplicity is not only in design, but in the manufacturing process. The manufacturers have told us this is the simplest rocket that have ever produced.

As scientists, its true we dream of sitting in offices with unlimited time and budgets to create perfect products. Yet the reality and limitations forced us to "break our heads." There are rocket components that are FORTY TIMES CHEAPER than those we normally wound purchase. I can even give you a scoop -- this is the only rocket in the world which includes parts from toys from "Toys R Us".

One day, I brought my son's toy car to work. We passed it from one to another and saw that it has components that would be useful for us. More than that, I cannot tell you... (Source).

Atzmaut (Ehud Barak), and Kadima (Shaul Mofaz) don't pass the minimum level of votes to get any seats.

Likud has dropped since before the Gaza operation, when they were between 40-43 seats.

4:37 PM Baruch Dayan HaEmet -- IDF Lieutenant Boris Yarmolnik, 28, who was seriously wounded yesterday by a Hamas mortar attack in the Eshkol Region, died of his wounds a little while ago in Saroka Hospital in Beer Sheva. Hashem Yikom Damo.4:21 PM Galei Zahal (IDF Radio) - Hamas says that the current rain storms in Israel are "proof" that they won the war, since these are "Victory Rains".

3:51 PM NY Times Quotes the Muqata!

"From the opposite end of the Israeli spectrum, the bloggers at The Muqata were critical of Mr. Netanyahu, observingon Facebook: “Only in Israel will you find a prime minister that Talks like Churchill but acts like Chamberlain.” They also drew attention to the findings of a poll by Israel’s Channel 2, which found clear opposition to a cease-fire." NYT

hat-tip: JH

Over 20 rockets fired at Israel since the cease fire went into affect, and life is not yet back to normal in the south, check back regularly throughout the day for updates.

10:13 AM That was quick. Rocket(s) - Ashkelon Beach. Does Israel now get to report the ceasefire violation to Egypt?

9:33 AM Over 60 Palestinians rounded up in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) as IDF tries to quash growing Initifada, as dozens of serious attacks against Israelis have occurred over the past week.

9:30 AM Ma'an News agency reports that Arab on Arab violence continues as 1 Gazan was killed and 3 more injured due to celebratory gunfire.

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Day 7 of the Gaza War 21-Nov-2012 Refresh your browser often to see latest updates from the IDF "Pillar of Defense" operation against Gaza's Palestinian terror.Now you can receive all the updates and more by giving a LIKE to the Muqata and subscribing on Facebook www.facebook.com/Muqata

8:12 PM President Barack Obama spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and commended him for agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal, the White House said.8:08 PM No injuries in mortar attack on Metullah.8:06 PM IDF Homefront command orders everyone in Eshkol region into bomb shelters immediately till further notice.8:06 PM Mortar shell fired at Israel from Lebanon lands in Metullah.8:03 PM In the previous rocket attack on Beer Sheva minutes ago, a rocket scored a direct hit on a house in Beer Sheva. No Injuries.

8:01 PM Air Raid Sirens in Ashkelon

7:53 PM Air Raid Siren in Tifrach area.

7:52 PM Air Raid Siren in Beer Sheva!7:43 PM There will be a joint press conference at 8:30 PM by PM Netanyahu, DM Barak and FM Leiberman.7:28 PM US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- Cease Fire announcement starting now in Cairo.

7:00 PM I'm going grocery shopping people...and will not be updating the blog for at least 2.5 hours. Should resume by 10 PM at the latest...unless something big happens. Remember -- if there IS going to be a cease fire, the coming hour is the most dangerous.

5:27 PM Roni Daniel - Channel 1 TV Military Correspondent: The Hamas is desperate for a cease fire. Now is the time to hit them harder!

5:08 PM US Embassy to personnel: STAY AT HOME! I think they have gone a bit overboard.

Security Message for U.S. Citizens
United States Embassy Tel Aviv
November 21, 2012 @ 14:40

Due to the ongoing police hunt for a suspect in the bombing of a Tel Aviv bus, the Embassy has advised its personnel to remain at home until the INP (Israeli National Police) gives an all clear. American citizens should monitor local news reports for the latest information. (US Embassy Website)

5:05 PM Reports of 3 wounded in rocket attack in the community area near Gaza...no air raid siren sounded prior to the rocket strike.4:51 PM 5 Minutes ago a rocket landed in the Eshkol region. No damage or injuries reported.4:50 PM IDF using heavy artillery against targets in Beit Lahiyeh and Nusrayat in the Northern Gaza strip.4:37 PM Over the past hour, the IDF destroyed another 2 long range rocket launchers in Gaza (Nir Dvori, Channel 2 TV)4:37 PM Over the past hour, the IDF destroyed another 2 long range rocket launchers in Gaza (Nir Dvori, Channel 2 TV)

4:08 PM Israel says to the world: The attack in Tel Aviv this morning will complicate a cease fire.4:04 PM IDF continues artillery shelling of Gaza according to Palestinian reports. Israelis in areas adjacent to the Gaza strip are also hearing the explosions coming from Gaza....3:24 PM Air Raid sirens in Ashkelon3:14 PM Air Raid Siren in Eshkol region3:00 PM Arutz Sheva reports of s slight improvement for the woman seriously wounded yesterday in Gush Etzion on the Hussan bypass road near Beitar Illit.2:55 PM Jubilation in Gaza over the attack in Tel-Aviv today. Music and Koran blaring from mosques and residents are firing in the air in joy.2:12 PM IDF: Our forces just attacked 3 Hamas terrorists as they tried to launch rockets towards the State of Israel. This attack is part of the over 100 targeted attacks by the IDF since this morning.1:58 PM Regarding the earlier update about the 9 Cabinet Ministers meeting -- the meeting will be at 2;30 PM at the Kiriya in Tel Aviv, and was planned before the attack today in Tel Aviv. Therefore, the original intention was probably to discuss the cease fire...though now it will center more on the Tel Aviv attack.1:53 PM Rock throwing attack on Modiin - Jerusalem highway 443 near Beit Horon. Major traffic jam...1:51 PM Air Raid Sirens in Eshkol region1:50 PM Air Raid Sirens in Beer Sheva / Negev region1:46 PM Hamas reports that the Fatah (Abu Mazen/Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President) faction was responsible for today's attack in Tel Aviv (Channel 2 TV)1:40 PM Over the past hour, Air Raid sirens continue to be heard in Southern Israel.1:27 PM The Israel Senior Government Cabinet (9 Ministers) are meeting now. It is unclear if the purpose of the meeting is to give the green light for a ground incursion, or to accept/negotiate the cease fire.1:22 PM Trying to make some order in the news.

- In the attack on a bus at 12:02 PM today, 21 people were wounded. 2 are in moderate to serious condition, and the rest are in light condition.

- A suspect was apprehended near the TASE buidling in Ramat Gan. [update: no connection to today's terror attack]

- Police suspect a female terrorist is still at large. [update: 2 suspects are in custody.]

- Reports of additional explosions around Tel Aviv, no no reports of injuries. [updated: no additional explosions took place]

1:06 PM Extremely conflicting reports going on now. Breaking News: Israeli police are closing the Azrielli Towers. Reports that a female terrorist has been apprehended. It will take some time for the picture to become clearer...Reports on Channel Bet Radio of an additional explosion in Tel Aviv which has not been confirmed.

12:25 PM Initial reports: Terrorist left the bomb on the bus and then left. 12:18 PM Channel 22 reports 10 lightly wounded on the scene. Reports of additional wounded have already made their way to local hospitals.12:16 PM All forces moving away from the area, putting on bullet proof vests and helmets due to a serious threat of a secondary explosive device on the bus.12:14 PM Apparently the bus was empty, or had very few passengers on it. Only a small number of wounded being treated.12:13 PM ALL FORCES LEAVING THE BUS AREA - SERIOUS CONCERN OF SECONDARY EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ON THE BUS.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Day 7 of the Gaza War 20-Nov-2012 Refresh your browser often to see latest updates from the IDF "Pillar of Defense" operation against Gaza's Palestinian terror.Now you can receive all the updates and more by giving a LIKE to the Muqata and subscribing on Facebook www.facebook.com/Muqata

10:29 PM Ehud Yaari (channel 2) TV: Israel has
bombed Rafiah (South Gaza) and it is going up in flames. The damage to
Rafiach's gas terminal is in the tens of millions of dollars -- this has
shocked the Hamas to its core.

Yaari says that the Palestinian
Parliament building which was built for 10 millions dollars has been
totally bombed and destroyed less than an hour ago -- a strong and
humiliating blow for Hamas.

10:02 PM Furious residents of Ashdod
demonstrating against possible cease fire. Residents call on government
to start ground incursion and destroy the Hamas.

9:05 PM At this point 56,000 reserve soldiers have been called up to military duty.

8:25 PM A female driver was shot near the Husan bypass near Beitar Ilit in a drive-by shooting. Medical forces are treating her on site, but she is in serious condition. UPDATE: Injuries caused by rock attack, not shooting.

3:51 PM Israel Radio reports that there was another shooting incident from Syria at an IDF jeep in the Golan Heights, and that the tire of the jeep was damaged. No injuries. Israel has submitted a complaint to the UN which I'm sure resolve the issue.

3:48 PM Foreign Minister Avigdor Leiberman had
to hang up on the Japanese Foreign Minister because of the rocket attack
and Air Raid sirens in Jerusalem.

3:48 PM Air Raid sirens in Sederot.

3:45 PM Hasbara campaign: Would you be willing to live like this for one day?

3:43 PM IDF hits Gazan anti-tank team near Gaza's border with Israel.

3:29 PM 5 people lightly wounded and 10 treated for shock -- rocket landing in a community very close to Gaza.

3:28 PM Rockets - Air Raid Siren in Ashdod

3:27 PM Air Raid Sirens in Lachish area.

3:26 PM Photo of people at the Kotel running for cover during the Air Raid siren at 2:13 PM today.

3:17 PM Reports that the IDF just terminated 3 Hamas terrorists, 2 of them in Zeitun which were involved in the rocket attack on Jerusalem, and 1 in Dahaniyeh. (Both locations in Gaza strip)

3:13 PM Hamas threatens: If there is an IDF ground incursion, we will kidnap soldiers.

3:05 PM Air Raid Sirens in Beer Sheva...and other areas.

3:01 PM The Knesset Foreign Relations and Security Committee unanimously approves call-up of additional 10,000 IDF reserves soldiers -- making a total of 70,000 soldiers called up via emergency Tzav-8 call up orders.

2:45 PM Reports of massive IDF artillery attack with combined airstrikes on Gaza at this time.

2:43 PM When the Air Raid siren went off, it also went off in Maaleh Adumim (for the benifit of our Maaleh Adumim readers). The boom was heard throughout Jerusalem...and Modiin, Gush Etzion, Beit Shemesh and other places as well.

The Israel enemy has comitted a fatal and strategic mistake by killing Ahmed Jabri
The Israeli Ground war will result in a major blow to the families of IDF soldiers.
The enemy will pay dearly for the great, disgusting act commited against Jabri the leader, and the Palestinian people of Gaza.

12:54 PM Channel 2 Israel TV reports that the Palestinians in Gaza have rejected Israel's terms for a cease fire.

12:53 PM Air Raid Sirens in Negev Region

12:50 PM Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of being a terrorist state. He also said that Israel is transgressing international law and performing ethnic cleansing in Palestinian territories. (AFP/YNET)

12:31 PM Israeli-Druze MK Ayoub Kra: I think we must start the IDF ground incursion to finally bring quiet to the South. We can not capitulate. There is no places for weakness in the Middle East.

12:22 PM IDF attacking in Dir Al-Balach.

12:15 PM More details, the solider is a 40 year old Reserves Tank Officer, wounded by shrapnel to his chest, and was transported by helicopter to Saroka Hospital in Beer Sheva.

12:12 PM IDF Spokesman allows us to publicize: The person wounded this morning in the Eshkol region is an IDF soldier, listed by the IDF as being in "moderate" condition.

12:08 PM Air Raid Sirens in Sederot and Shaar HaNegev Region

11:56 AM Air Raid Sirens in Kiryat Melachi....

11:48 AM Israeli Government Ministers taking turns with soundbites: Yaalon; Quiet will be met with quiet. Shteinitz; We have exacted a stiff price from Hamas and they will think twice before shooting at us again.

Sounds like the cease fire is almost here...(till the next rocket fired at Israel.)

11:42 AM From the JPost: The Iron Dome system intercepted a total of 18 rockets fired into Israel from the Gaza Strip Tuesday morning, police said.

11:40 AM IDF Radio reporting the US Embassy attack was "criminal" not "nationalistic"

11:27 AM Reports that the attacker of the US Embassy may be an Israeli. Insane.

11:23 AM US Embassy Attack Update: After the Arab attacker lunged at an embassy guard with an axe, the attacker was shot in the leg by security guards. Why they didn't kill him is a mystery.

11:20 AM Reports that the person injured in rocket attack in Eshkol region this morning -- is in serious condition.11:19 AM Update on attack near US Embassy in Tel Aviv: Arab attacked guard at US Embassy with an axe. The guard was lightly wounded in the leg. The attacker was arrested...Details later when they are available.

11:15 AM INCORRECT reports in news media of a shooting attack near the US Embassy in Tel-Aviv. There was NO shooting attack.

10:06 AM An Israeli has been seriously hurt from a rocket shrapnel in the Eshkol region, and is being evacuated by helicopter to hospital. (Channel 2)6:00 AM - 10:00 AM Dozens and dozens of rockets are fired at Southern Israel. Many of them intercepted by Iron Dome.

Visiting Israel?Learn to Shoot at Caliber-3with top Israeli Anti-Terror Experts!

An Arab near Halhul attacked a soldier,in a kidnapping attempt. The soldier shot the terrorist. Simultaneous to the attack, Palestinian websites reported that an IDF soldier was kidnapped. It appears the site jumped the gun. All traffic in the are was stopped as soldiers searched to make sure no soldier was missing.

4) Israel reserves the right to attack Gaza if there is an imminent threat

5) President Morsi will be personally responsible, and sign as 3rd party guarantor.

6:57 PM Prime Minister Netanyahu today to Hasbara activists: We are in 4 different fronts, Homefront, Military, Diplomatic and Hasbara. Your work in disputing the lie industry is a significant addition to the State of Israel. There will be many great efforts needed in the coming days.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Refresh your browser often to see latest updates from the IDF "Pillar of Defense" operation against Gaza's Palestinian terror.Now you can LIKE the Muqata on Facebook:www.facebook.com/Muqata

Hear every single air raid during the war -- at IDF Public Radio, Gal-Galatz 91.8 FM in Israel or here on the web: http://rr-d.nsacdn.com/radio/glz/glglzradio/300/200
plays current Israeli music, and every single rocket launch and location is announced.12:25 AM Goodnight world....off to bed. JoeSettler might updates this a bit later tonight, otherwise I'll be back in the morning.

The U.S. Embassy will be operating at reduced staffing levels on Monday, November 19, and routine consular services are being suspended for that same day. Embassy families have been instructed to keep their children home from schools in areas south of Herzeliya. Embassy personnel from Beer Sheva have temporarily been relocated to Herzeliya. Non-essential official travel by Embassy staff to the south of Israel remains prohibited.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to exercise caution and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety and security in light of the escalating level of violence in Gaza and Israel. U.S. citizens should pay close attention to their surroundings and news reports, and follow the civil defense guidance provided by the Home Front Command. The Government of Israel’s Home Front Command website provides information on how to choose a secure space or room in a home or apartment. Visitors may also seek information on shelters from hotel staff or building managers. Please click here for further emergency preparedness guidance provided by the Home Front Command. read more here

Important Message for Residents of the South in Apartment Buildings: Leave the front door of your buildings OPEN so that during an Air-Raid siren, other people can access your building's bomb shelter (or stairwell).

Additionally, when driving and you hear an Air Raid siren via the radio, pull over, stop, get out of the car, lie down with your hands shielding your head.

These instructions SAVE LIVES.

5:45 PM Air Raid sirens in Ashkelon

5:35PM Unexploded GRAD rocket removed safely from roof of house in Ashdod.

5:30 PM Parks department opens all national parks to residents of the south for free.

5:29 PM IDF Artillery begins to shell strategic sites in Gaza.

5:28 PM 5 rockets land in town in Sha'ar HaNegev, no report of injuries.

5:13 PM Pictures from the day in Israel
IAF Forces knock out antennae in Gaza.

Air strikes on strategic targets in Gaza

Soldiers called up and moved to southern region stand in prayer as the day breaks.

Damage to house in southern town of Netivot

Iron Dome system knocks out two rockets fired at Israel.

5:00 PM Air raid siren in S'dot Negev.

4:56 PM 4 rockets land in Eshkol region, no reports of injuries.

4:46 PM Once more, Israeli press talking about representatives going to Cairo to discuss a cease fire. UPDATE: Both Defense Min Barak and Foreign Min Leiberman say there will be no talking while rockets falling.

4:44 PM Rockets fired at S'derot and Sha'ar HaNegev.4:29 PM Preliminary reports: 4 wounded, one seriously, one moderately in the Ofakim region. UPDATE: 2 seriously wounded. Rocket hit next to car.
UPDATE: 5 wounded, 2 adults and 2 year old daughter were in a car and two passersby.

4:18 PM Sirens going off in S'dot Negev and Sha'ar HaNegev. 7 rockets fired. Most fall in open areas.

4:05 PM Channel 2 TV reports that a car near Ofakim was hit by a rocket, and there are 4 wounded; 2 moderately, 2 lightly.4:04 PM US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Schapiro met with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and reviewed the new Iron Dome (5th installation) protecting Greater Tel-Aviv and promised another 300 Million Dollars -- for their to be a total of 13 Iron Dome installations. (source)

3:53 PM When Seconds Matter: As correctly noted by a commenter below, there is a minor delay (usually 5-10 seconds) between the real time radio broadcast of IDF radio, and the internet version of the radio broadcast (due to the streaming technology). Therefore, if you are in Southern Israel and relying on IDF Radio for warnings of rocket strikes, you gain an extra 5-10 seconds by listening to the radio via 91.8 FM instead of via the internet. --Jameel.

3:10 PM In a lightening fast operation, the IDF Homefront command fixed a number of sirens in Central Israel that were not working well over the past few days.

3:04 PM Air Raid Sirens in Eshkol region

3:04 PM Fresh from the IDF Spokesman New Media Unit...

2:46 PM Video of Iron Dome taking out GRAD rockets less than an hour ago.

2:45 PM Two GRAD rockets taken out by Iron Dome (fired at Ashdod area)

2:36 PM Air Raid Sirens in Ashdod area.

2:33 PM Reports of multiple IDF targeted killings of Hamas and Jihad terrorists. IDF: Keep up the good work!

2:21 PM Direct hit on a house in Ashkelon....no injuries.

2:15 PM Reports that the last barrage of rockets towards Ashdod and area was over 15 rockets in one shot.

2:10 PM Air Raid Sirens as another rocket barrage is headed for Ashkelon.2:05 PM Another rocket hits Ashdod. Forces responding to 2 locations.2:02 PM Iron Dome working overtime to take out Grad rocket strike on Ashdod and area....2:01 PM Another Air Raid Siren in Ashdod....GRAD rocket lands in Ashdod...forces responding.1:57 PM Rocket barrage at Ashdod and Gan Yavneh.1:44 PM Notice to Ashdod residents. IDF sappers are going to explode a fallen rocket soon. If you hear a boom, its a controlled explosion.1:40 PM 3 rockets land in Beer Sheva. No Injuries.1:26 PM Air Raid Sirens in Beer Sheva area.

1:23 PM IDF dropping leaflets into Gaza: Important Message to Gaza Strip residents: Hamas is playing with fire and endangering your lives for naught. The IDF is proceeding to the next phase. For your own safety, we ask you to adhere to our instructions and distance yourselves from Hamas operatives and infrastructure. Sincerely, THE IDF.

8:05 AM Yawn and Good morning! It was a relatively quiet night...the IDF spent all night pounding away at terrorist targets.

Gazan Despair: Gazans are crying on the social networks -- "We are under attack by the Zionists...why isn't the Hamas retaliating and firing back?!"

1:21 AM For the past few hours, there have been maybe 3 Air Raid sirens going off in Israel due to rocket attacks. I'm off to bed now...see you all in the morning. A Good night, and a quiet night to the residents of Southern and Central Israel (here in the Shomron, it's VERY quiet).

Regards from Israel,

Jameel

1:08 AM Video of "A Night in Beer Sheva"

1:02 AM IDF Radio reports that for the past hour, the IDF has been pounding away at terror targets in Gaza. The past few hours have been quieter than usual...and only a few rockets fired at Israel.

12:52 AM This evening, IDF Homefront command installed additional sirens in Herziliya due to the escalation down south.

12:48 AM IDF Spox video on Hamas lies...

12:39 AM Shooting attack at IDF forces from Syria in the Golan Heights near Tel-Chazeka. No injuries to IDF forces, which returned fire.

12:30 AM Photos of terrorist targets hit by IDF in Gaza

12:10 AM From a friend on facebook:Surreal story from Eli Birnbaum in Tekoa:

Erev Shabbat in Tekoa (like most places) is a contradiction of tension and relief. This time the arrival of Shabbat was accompanied by warning sirens for a missile attack. Surprise and unbelief “Missiles here in the Judean desert?” Before we can really grasp what was happening, there came the resounding boom of an explosion echoing in the hills reflecting the shock in our faces. The security van careens through the streets calling people to find shelter. Within minutes another siren warning. This time prayers are halted . “Quickly under the shul,” someone commands. Within the confusion we grab our children and grandchildren in our arms and climb down to the open area under the synagogue which affords more protection. We all move quickly in the darkening evening finding space on the floor . I hold one of my grandchildren talking to him softly . He thinks it is a great game. We begin to sing and wait for the next boom.

It was at that moment that my son Pinny’s cell phone rings. As a member of a search and rescue team it is not uncommon for him to get calls even on Shabbat. But this call was different “Shabbat Shalom” . It is a familiar voice with a very distinct accent. “ Pinny, its Muhammad, what do I do? What’s happening? I heard your sirens”. There is real panic in his voice.

At first this may not appear to be an abnormal situation, but Muhammad is an acquaintance/friend who happens to live in the Arab village of Tuqua which the army will only enter in large numbers. Pinny quietly explains that we were being rocketed from Gaza and the best thing he could do is to remain in doors and stay away from windows. Muhammad thanks Pinny profusely apologizes for calling on Shabbat “ Shabbat Shalom Pinny – B’Emet todah!”. So this Friday night , a “Palestinian Arab” called a “Jewish Settler” for help regarding a rocket attack from Gaza – Surreal!

12:01 AM Today in Beer Sheva, a 73 year old man collapsed while running for shelter during an Air Raid Siren, due to a barrage of rockets fired at the city. Magen David Adom medics attempted to resuscitate the man, but he was declared dead. (source)